The 2024-25 NBA season is in full swing. I’ll be giving out NBA best bets and player props here as often as possible, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on big news that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work throughout the season. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Wednesday, January 8th. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on January 8th
NBA Best Bets Today – January 8th
Oklahoma City Thunder at Cleveland Cavaliers – 7:00 pm ET
I’m a big fan of Kenny Atkinson and thought he’d do a great job with this Cavaliers team. However, I definitely didn’t see a 31-4 start coming, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t skeptical about this team. Atkinson has done a great job of upping Cleveland’s tempo, making sure the ball is zipping around and empowering everybody in the lineup to make plays. There’s not a lot of wasted movements on offense, and the defense is still top 10 in the league in adjusted defensive rating (110.9). However, my issue with the Cavaliers is that we have seen good teams exploit them for playing Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley together for years. And I’m not sure a scheme change can make this big of a difference in the biggest of games. Well, this is a massive game.
This year, Oklahoma City is first in the league in adjusted net rating (104.3). The Thunder are historically good defensively, and they are right on the Cavaliers’ tail for the top record in basketball. Oklahoma City is going to take pride in trying to slow down this Cleveland offense, and I think the Thunder’s ability to defend the 3-point line will help them do that. This season, opponents are shooting just 32.7% from 3 against Oklahoma City. That’s the best mark in basketball. Well, Cleveland is first in the league in 3PT% (40.4%), so something will have to give. And I ultimately see the Thunder winning out. Honestly, Mark Daigneault really showed the world how good of a coach he is when he coached circles around Joe Mazzulla on Sunday. His second-half adjustments on the defensive end were spectacular, and I now have all the faith in the world that Oklahoma City will be ready for Cleveland tonight.
If the Thunder can do a decent job of stifling the Cavaliers defensively, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be able to get this thing home. Donovan Mitchell has been tremendous since arriving in Cleveland, but Gilgeous-Alexander is the most reliable shot creator in this matchup — and might be the best in the world. With all of that in mind, I’m not sure how you can pass on Oklahoma City at plus-money odds. This is the best team in basketball, and it’s a team that has proven it doesn’t take nights off. Also, since the start of last season, the Thunder are 9-6 straight-up when facing teams with winning percentages of 70.0% or higher. They get up for these ones.
Bet: Thunder ML (+120 – 1.5 units)
Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets – 9:00 pm ET
This one is a little more straightforward than the earlier game. This Nuggets team just fought like hell in a home loss to the Celtics last night. Even without Nikola Jokic, Denver had a chance to win that game before letting things spiral out of control in the fourth quarter. But Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Russell Westbrook all played big minutes, and the three of them also expended a ton of energy. And with Aaron Gordon still injured, those guys will be counted on in a big way tonight. I think fatigue is going to be a big factor tonight, even if Jokic is able to play. But I will say that I’m not sure we’re going to see the MVP out there. He’s not a guy that misses a lot of games, so he must have really been going through it to miss a meeting with the defending champions on TNT.
I’m also really high on this Clippers group now. Before the season, I wasn’t sure they’d be able to win enough games to be in the playoff mix when Kawhi Leonard returned to action, but James Harden has been great and most of their offseason moves have worked out well. Now, with Leonard capable of playing 20 or so minutes, this team is ferocious defensively and is starting to come close to matching their opponents when it comes to shotmaking options.
Los Angeles simply should be able to suffocate Denver defensively, and the Nuggets aren’t great defensively on a good day. If they have tired legs, the Clippers will have open looks all throughout this one.
Bet: Clippers ML (-135 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – January 8th
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks – 7:30 pm ET
RJ Barrett has been doing a ton of damage as a scorer lately, as he has had at least 23 points in four of his last five games. However, Barrett has also been doing good work as a playmaker, as he has dished out at least five assists in five of his last six games. Barrett even had at least nine assists in three of those games. Well, I like Barrett to rack up assists again, so I love the fact that it’s out there at plus-money odds. I know Barrett only had four assists in a meeting with the Knicks on December 9th, but that was a game in which Scottie Barnes played only 23 minutes. Two weeks later, when Barnes played 36 minutes, Barrett had six dimes. He just needed a little more scoring help, and he actually has even more now. Immanuel Quickley is back from his UCL injury, giving Toronto another good scoring option. So, when Barrett drives to the rim and kicks, there will be competent shooters and scorers surrounding him. And he will have his opportunities, as New York’s defense is still shaky.
Bet: Barrett Over 4.5 Assists (+104)
Detroit Pistons at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 pm ET
Malik Beasley couldn’t get himself going against Portland last game, as he was 1 for 10 from the floor and 1 for 9 from 3. However, Beasley has played at least 29 minutes in three consecutive games, and Detroit is going to continue to lean on him with Jaden Ivey out. This team is lacking perimeter firepower, so Beasley’s shooting is crucial. Beasley has also had at least 18 points in eight of his last 13 games. I’m only asking for 17 tonight. But Beasley did score 18 against the Nets on November 3rd, and this Brooklyn team is just 25th in the league in adjusted defensive rating (115.5). Opponents are also shooting 37.6% from 3 against the Nets. Only two teams in the league are defending the 3-point line worse. So, this matchup doesn’t get much better for a sniper.
Bet: Beasley Over 16.5 Points (-105)
Additional Plays
6PT TEASER – Pacers ML vs. Bulls & Blazers +8.5 vs. Pelicans (-125 – 1.5 units): The Bulls are playing some good basketball, as they have won four of their last five games. However, the Pacers are eighth in the league in adjusted offensive rating (114.3) and 22nd in adjusted defensive rating (114.8) this season. The Bulls are just 13th in offense (112.6) and 24th in defense (115.1). That’s an edge to Indiana on both ends of the floor, and that’s not even factoring in how dialed in the group has been defensively over the last few weeks. Also, the Pacers, like most teams, are much better at home than they are on the road. They’re 9-6 in Indiana and have a positive net rating (+1.5). That said, I’d be surprised if they lose this game outright. That’s true even if Tyrese Haliburton sits with his injured ankle. Indiana would still be in decent shape with Andrew Nembhard and TJ McConnell running the show. And in the second game, I just don’t see New Orleans blowing Portland out after a hard-fought loss last night. The Pelicans will likely be without Zion Williamson in the second night of a back-to-back, and the rest of the rotation will be low in energy. And for what it’s worth, five of Portland’s last six games have been decided by eight or fewer.
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
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2024-25 NBA Record: 157-152-1 (+6.97 units)
